Purification from hadath means cleansing impurities which are not visible but its existence is known and accepted by law. This type of purification can be achieved by either minor or major ablution depending upon the impurity. Even though this type of purification consists of some benefits, such as cleansing the body from material filth, it is also an act of worship in itself and is considered as a preparation for other acts of worship. Allah the Almighty explains under what circumstances believers need to perform major and minor ablution as follows:
“O you who believe when you prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bath your whole body. But if you are ill, or on a journey, or one of you comes from offices of nature, or you have been in contact with women, and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean sands or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allah does not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favor to you, that you may be grateful.” (al-Maidah 5; 6)
As it is understood from the verse, it is obligatory for a believer to perform minor ablution when getting ready for prayer, to perform major ablution when it is needed, and to perform dry ablution in the absence of water. Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) also stated that Allah will not accept prayers without performing minor ablution first. (Muslim, Taharah, 1)
Such are the basic principles that every Muslim must learn. At the end of the above mentioned verse Allah the Almighty states that the action which He orders is not meant to be a burden upon believers but to cleanse them from spiritual and material impurities and sins. Indeed purification which is necessary for every human being is turned into an act of worship in Islam; thus while cleansing oneself, one can feel the joy of worshipping, too.